Swivel joint with uniform ball bearing requirements

ABSTRACT

A swivel joint has uniform ball bearing requirements for all bearing races. The swivel joint has a male connector and a female connector that coaxially interconnect and swivel relative to each other while still maintaining a high pressure seal. Each connector has three bearing races to form three sets of bearing races, each of which supports the same number of ball bearings. The circumference of the main set of races are enlarged by less than the diameter of one ball, so it is impossible to add another ball to the coupled male and female connectors of the swivel joint.

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/947,738, filed Jul. 3, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates in general to swivels joints for high pressure well service applications and, in particular, to an improved system, method, and apparatus for swivel joints having uniform ball bearing requirements for all bearing races.

2. Description of Related Art

High pressure well service applications require the use of swivel joints to interconnect various plumbing configurations. A swivel joint has male and female connectors that are joined and sealed, but which permit swivel action between them. Circumferential bearing seats are formed in the male and female connectors to capture ball bearings therebetween to facilitate the swiveling action. Swivel joints are required to perform under extreme conditions, such as handling fluids that contain abrasives that cause erosion of the joint components, high pressures, and extreme temperatures. Although there are workable designs available in the industry, an improved swivel joint design would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of a system, method, and apparatus for a swivel Joint having uniform ball bearing requirements for all bearing races are disclosed. The swivel joint has a male connector and a female connector that coaxially interconnect and swivel relative to each other while still maintaining a high pressure seal. Each connector has three bearing races to form three sets of bearing races, each of which supports the same number of ball bearings. The circumferences of the main races are enlarged by less than the diameter of one ball, so it is impossible to add another ball to the coupled male and female connectors of the swivel joint.

For example, the main and center male connector bearing races are formed at one diameter, while the third bearing race is formed at a larger diameter. The female races are formed at complementary configurations. In addition to providing diametric and circumferential dimensional changes, this design also provides an increase in wall thickness for greater erosion resilience.

An increased step in diameter may be formed on the outer diameter of the male connector between the races, with a complementary step in diameter formed on the inner diameter of the female connector between its races. This design results in more support around the main ball races that are closest to the seal ring. This configuration also produces more even distribution of loads and stresses throughout all of the ball races, and provides extended life of the ball races.

One embodiment of the invention also is provided with greater axial separation between the various sets of ball races compared to conventional designs. For example, the axial distance between each set of races is increased. This wider stance between ball races results in a more stable ball race assembly and provides better ball race loading and longer ball race life.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in view of the following detailed description of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the present invention, which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in more detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only some embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a swivel joint constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the swivel joint of FIG. 1 and is constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a male connector for a swivel joint and is constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a female connector for a swivel joint and is constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a male connector for a swivel joint and is constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a female connector for a swivel joint and is constructed in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, embodiments of a system, method, and apparatus for swivel joints having uniform ball bearing requirements for all bearing races are disclosed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one type of swivel joint 11 comprises a male connector 13 and a female connector 15 that coaxially interconnect along central axes 12, 14 thereof. The swivel joint 11 also includes connectors 17, 19 for connecting the swivel joint to other well service components (not shown). The swivel joint permits the male and female connectors 13, 15 to swivel about the axes 12, 14 relative to each other while still maintaining a high pressure seal therebetween.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict enlarged sectional views of one embodiment of male and female connectors 13, 15, respectively, such as for 3-inch diameter components rated at a working pressure of 15,000 psi. A main seal ring 16 (FIG. 2) for the swivel joint 11 is located between distal end 17 (FIG. 3) of male connector 13, and proximal end 19 (FIG. 4) of female connector 15. As shown in FIG. 2, an o-ring 18 and dust seal 20 also may be provided between connectors 13, 15.

Male connector 13 also has three bearing races 21, 23, 25, that are coaxial with and complementary to three bearing races 31, 33, 35 located on female connector 15. Thus, when male and female connectors 13, 15 are mated together, three sets of bearing races are formed: main set races 21, 31; center set races 23, 33, and support set races 25, 35, each of which supports a plurality of ball bearings or balls 22.

In one embodiment, each set of races contains the same number of balls 22. For example, each set of races may be provided with a total of 35 balls, with each ball having a diameter of ⅜-inch. However, the sets of races are not all the same size. For example, although main set races 21, 31 and center set races 23, 33 may be provided with the same diameters, support set races 25, 35 may be provided with larger diameters. With respect to some conventional designs having small main set races, this design may be accomplished by enlarging the diameter and circumference of main set races 21, 31 by a sufficient distance to almost accommodate another ball (e.g., approximately ¾ to ⅞ of the diameter of one ball). Since the circumference of main set races 21, 31 are enlarged by less than the diameter of one ball, it is impossible to add another ball to the coupled male and female connectors 13, 15 of swivel joint 11.

For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the male connector bearing races 21, 23 are formed at a diameter 41 of about 3.843 inches, while bearing race 25 is formed at a diameter 43 of about 3.903 inches. In a complementary configuration, the female connector bearing races 31, 33 (FIG. 4) may be formed at a diameter 45 of about 4.60 inches, while bearing race 35 may be formed at a diameter 47 of about 4.66 inches.

In addition to providing diametral and circumferential dimensional changes, this design also provides an increase in wall thickness (i.e., radial direction). In one embodiment, the wall thickness of the male connector 13 is increased by about 13.5% for greater erosion resilience therethrough. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, a step 49 in diameter (i.e., radial thickness of the wall) may be formed on the outer diameter of male connector 13 between races 23, 25, with a complementary shaped step 50 in diameter formed on the inner diameter of female connector 15 between races 33, 35.

One embodiment of the invention also is provided with greater axial separation between the various sets of ball races compared to conventional designs. For example, on the male connector 13 (FIG. 3), the axial distance between ball races 21 and 23 is increased to at least about 0.88 inches, as is the axial distance between ball races 23 and 25. Complementary dimensions are formed on the female connector 15. This wider stance between ball races results in a more stable ball race assembly and provides better ball race loading and longer ball race life.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the female connector 15 may be provided with an outer diameter configuration that includes a step 51 in radial thickness of the wall. For example, in the embodiment shown, the step 51 is located adjacent the center race 33. The wall of connector 15 is thicker and has a larger diameter (e.g., approximately 5.41 inches) about main race 31, and a smaller diameter (e.g., approximately 5.34 inches) about support race 35. This design results in more support around the main ball races that are closest to the seal ring 16 (FIG. 2). This configuration also produces more even distribution of loads and stresses throughout all of the ball races, and provides extended life of the ball races.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment of male and female connectors 113, 115, such as for 4-inch diameter components rated at a working pressure of 10,000 psi is shown. This embodiment and the previously described embodiment share many features and elements, including the requirement that each race contain the same number of balls. For example, each set of races may be provided with a total of 32 balls, with each ball having a diameter of ½-inch.

Similarly, the sets of races are not all the same size. The main races 121, 131 and center races 123, 133 may be provided with the same respective diameters, and support races 125, 135 may be provided with larger respective diameters. This design may be accomplished by enlarging the diameter and circumference of main races 121, 131 by a sufficient distance to almost accommodate another ball. Since the circumference of the main races 121, 131 are enlarged by less than the diameter of one ball, it is impossible to add another ball to the coupled male and female connectors 113, 115 of the swivel joint.

For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the male connector races 121, 123 are formed at a diameter 141 of about 4.637 inches, while support race 125 is formed at a diameter 143 of about 4.727 inches. In a complementary configuration, the female connector races 131, 133 (FIG. 6) may be formed at a diameter 145 of about 5.647 inches, while support race 135 may be formed at a diameter 147 of about 5.737. This design also provides an increase in wall thickness of about 22.7% in one embodiment of the male connector 113. A step 149 in diameter (i.e., radial thickness of the wall) may be formed on the outer diameter of male connector 113 between races 123, 125, with a complementary step 150 in diameter formed on the inner diameter of female connector 115 between races 133, 135.

The female connector 115 also may be provided with an outer diameter configuration that includes a step 151 (FIG. 6) in radial thickness of the wall. For example, in the embodiment shown, the step 151 is located adjacent the center race 133. The wall of connector 115 is thicker and has a larger diameter (e.g., approximately 6.56 inches) about main race 131, and a smaller diameter (e.g., approximately 6.44 inches) about support race 135.

While the invention has been shown or described in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A swivel joint, comprising: a male connector having a central axis and a plurality of bearing races; a female connector coaxially interconnected with the male connector along the central axis, and having an equal number of bearing races as the male connector that are coaxial with and complementary to the said plurality of bearing races; and a plurality of balls in each of the bearing races, with each bearing race containing a same number of balls, such that the swivel joint permits the male and female connectors to swivel about the central axis relative to each other while still maintaining a high pressure seal therebetween.
 2. A swivel joint according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bearing races comprises three sets of bearing races, including a main race, a center race, and a support race, each of which supports the same number of balls.
 3. A swivel joint according to claim 2, wherein the main race and the center race have a same diameter, and the support race has a larger diameter than the main and center races.
 4. A swivel joint according to claim 1, wherein each set of bearing races contains a total of 35 balls, with each ball having a diameter of ⅜-inch.
 5. A swivel joint according to claim 1, wherein each set of bearing races contains a total of 32 balls, with each ball having a diameter of ½-inch.
 6. A swivel joint according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bearing races do not have a same circumference.
 7. A swivel joint according to claim 6, wherein two of the plurality of bearing races have said same circumference, and another one of the plurality of bearing races has a circumference that is different than said same circumference, and a difference between said same circumference and said circumference is less than a diameter of one of the balls.
 8. A swivel joint according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the bearing races of the male and female connectors have a radial wall thickness that is greater than another one of the bearing races of the male and female connectors, respectively.
 9. A swivel joint according to claim 8, wherein the male connector has a step formed on an outer surface thereof to increase radial wall thickness, and the female connector has an inner step formed on an inner surface thereof and an outer step formed on an outer surface thereof to increase radial wall thickness.
 10. A swivel joint according to claim 9, wherein the step is complementary in shape to the inner step.
 11. A swivel joint according to claim 1, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of bearing races have an axial separation of at least about 0.88 inches.
 12. A swivel joint according to claim 1, wherein the swivel joint further comprises additional connectors opposite the male and female for connecting the swivel joint to other well service components.
 13. A swivel joint according to claim 12, wherein said other well service components comprise 3-inch diameter components rated at a working pressure of 15,000 psi.
 14. A swivel joint according to claim 12, wherein said other well service components comprise 4-inch diameter components rated at a working pressure of 10,000 psi.
 15. A swivel joint according to claim 1, further comprising a main seal ring located between a distal end of the male connector, and a proximal end of the female connector, and an o-ring and dust seal between the male and female connectors.
 16. A swivel joint, comprising: a male connector having a central axis and three bearing races including a main race, a center race, and a support race, the main race and the center race having a same diameter, and the support race having a larger diameter than the main and center races; a female connector coaxially interconnected with the male connector along the central axis, and having an equal number of bearing races as the male connector that are coaxial with and complementary to the main, center and support races; and a plurality of balls in each of the bearing races, with each bearing race containing a same number of balls, such that the swivel joint permits the male and female connectors to swivel about the central axis relative to each other while still maintaining a high pressure seal therebetween.
 17. A swivel joint according to claim 16, further comprising a main seal ring located between a distal end of the male connector, and a proximal end of the female connector, and an o-ring and dust seal between the male and female connectors; and wherein each race contains balls selected from the group consisting of: a total of 35 balls, with each ball having a diameter of ⅜-inch, and a total of 32 balls, with each ball having a diameter of ½-inch.
 18. A swivel joint according to claim 16, wherein two of the bearing races have a same circumference, and another one of the bearing races has a circumference that is different than said same circumference, and a difference between said same circumference and said circumference is less than a diameter of one of the balls.
 19. A swivel joint according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the bearing races of the male and female connectors have a radial wall thickness that is greater than another one of the bearing races of the male and female connectors, respectively, the male connector has a step formed on an outer surface thereof to increase radial wall thickness, the female connector has an inner step formed on an inner surface thereof and an outer step formed on an outer surface thereof to increase radial wall thickness, and the step is complementary in shape to the inner step.
 20. A swivel joint according to claim 16, wherein the swivel joint further comprises additional connectors opposite the male and female for connecting the swivel joint to other well service components, and wherein said other well service components are selected from the group consisting of 3-inch diameter components rated at a working pressure of 15,000 psi, and 4-inch diameter components rated at a working pressure of 10,000 psi. 